MovieChat Forums > Where the Wild Things Are (2009) Discussion > Why isn't this movie appreciated more?

Why isn't this movie appreciated more?


Seriously, it's like a 100 million dollar art film by Spike Jonze that came out of the New Hollywood. You know, the time back in the 70's when Hollywood actually gave money to artists and were ok with movies not ending happily and the films not being pure escapist fantasies where nobody learns anything and everything is right in the world? I know, I know, the movie wasn't for kids, it was marketed poorly, and should have just been released into art house theaters. But I'm happy that movies like this can still be made. There are things going on in this movie: symbolism, emotions, dysfunctional family life and relationships replayed in a fantastical realm that gives more depth to the "real-world" introduction at the beginning.

The backlash and hate against this movie is the reason Hollywood is dying. How many times have we heard people complain that Hollywood is out of ideas; making remakes, sequels, reboots, and superhero franchises instead of doing anything artistically or culturally important? Well, this is the reason. People complaining that an artistic film with lots of thought and reason behind it like Where the Wild Things Are makes Hollywood play it safe.

It's sad to see such an emotional, intense, personal film that's about a lot of things shafted because it's "boring", "depressing", and "not for kids." Boo *beep* hoo. Go see Minions and the countless other terrible animated children's films that will placate your children's brains as you suffer through it. Leave Spike Jonze's art alone and do us all a favor.

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I believe this is an example of a film that was done so right that it sort of hurts it: It expanded beyond what people thought of the book into something touching. It's a beautiful character study of the child and it's a great film. Unfortunately, it's packaged as Where The Wild Things Are, and people wanted something more simple and family friendly. This movie can be viewed by all, but I think only young adults and above can really appreciate this movie for what it did. If they had approached it with the Disney/blockbuster mentality, it probably would have been a lot more successful. But this film would have inevitably been many layers thinner, so I'm glad that didn't happen and that Spike Jonze made it his. It's a modern classic, and like most modern classics, it's been somewhat rejected...for now at least.

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It will get it's due. Watching it yesterday with my girlfriend and it feels like a new age classic. They even bundle it with the never ending story on bluray and the two feel like brother/sister films.

The SFX have aged beautifully. WTWTA will one day get the recognition it deserves.

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Tony Soprano that's why. You can't have that iconic of a role be voiced by such a well known actor. Every time he speaks it completely removes me from the story.

And this movie released around the height of thr Sopranos popularity. Terrible mis casting, ruined the movie for me. Doubt im the only one who couldn't get Tony Soprano out of their heads while watching it. He even uses the same New jersey Italian Mafioso accent. Its ridiculous.

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Because max was a spoiled little brat and an awful child.

Do not tell me that someone around age 9-10 should act like him in ANY WAY whatsoever.

He had absolutely no discipline and was treated to cake at the end of the movie for acting like a little *beep*. His behavior was that of a toddler having tantrums.

The ONLY way that behavior would be acceptable for a boy his age is if he had some sort of mental disability.

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Ignoring the board, 1 troll at a time.

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Here's a tip: grow up, then watch it again.

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It should be painfully obvious how bad of a child he was. Circumstances or otherwise, only someone mentally disabled should behave that way at that age.

If you think otherwise....well that's a pity, hope you don't have kids.

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Ignoring the board, 1 troll at a time.

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